Letter from Jacob W. Jenks, 31 December
1839

Sir In the bonds of the Gospel of our
Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, may the Lord be with and strengthen you,
while in the business in which you are engaged at
Washington

Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ...

,
together with the rest of your Bretheren & associates there, in
compliance will with the revealed will of
God.

I am pleased to learn that the head, and— also the rest
of the chosen
twelve

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

, are fired with inteligent zeal, to do
the will of the Lord; that this Kingdom may soon come in its fullness,
when the Knowledge of the Lord shall cover.— the earth as the waters
cover the Deep

Allow me to say dear Brother, it is the
desire of the Bretheren at
Sing Sing, as well as at
N. York

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

, to
come into our city & Vilage, if you should deem it expedient. I
know that there were some pecuniary embarrassments, under which you have
been in time past labouring; and do not know but they are still
continueing; if so I am aware that you could not visit us the
City without laying yourself liable to
imprisonment, which I should be sorry to have take place; as it is the law
of our land that a nonresident shall be liable to imprisonment; yet I
do not know but you might manage in that way so as not to have the law
enforced. I mention these things so that you may not be brought into
bondage unawares; perhaps by those, who may feel a disposition to
persecute the saints in
Sing Sing and
New.
York

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

I wish you would answer this as soon as it comes to hand,
letting me know the expense, or fare to
Phila.

Port city founded as Quaker settlement by William Penn, 1681. Site of signing of Declaration of Independence and drafting of U.S. Constitution. Nation’s capital city, 1790–1800. Population in 1830 about 170,000; in 1840 about 260,000; and in 1850 about 410...

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

, I
know the amt of. I will give you a returning
answer immediately,
[p. 117]

Sing Sing
Dec 31t.1839

Brother
Joseph
Smith Jr,

Sir In the bonds of the Gospel of our
Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, may the Lord be with and strengthen you,
while in the business in which you are engaged at
Washington

Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ...

,
together with the rest of your Bretheren & associates there, in
compliance will [with] the revealed will of
God.

I am pleased to learn that the head, and— also the rest
of the chosen
twelve

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

, are fired with inteligent zeal, to do
the will of the Lord; that this Kingdom may soon come in its fullness,
when the Knowledge of the Lord shall cover.— the earth as the waters
cover the Deep

Allow me to say dear Brother, it is the
desire of the Bretheren at
Sing Sing, as well as at
N. York

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

, to
come into our city & Vilage, if you should deem it expedient. I
know that there were some pecuniary embarrassments, under which you have
been in time past labouring; and do not know but they are still
continueing; if so I am aware that you could not visit us the
City without laying yourself liable to
imprisonment, which I should be sorry to have take place; as it is the law
of our land that a nonresident shall be liable to imprisonment; yet I
do not know but you might manage in that way so as not to have the law
enforced. I mention these things so that you may not be brought into
bondage unawares; perhaps by those, who may feel a disposition to
persecute the saints in
Sing Sing and
New.
York

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

I wish you would answer this as soon as it comes to hand,
letting me know the expense, or fare to
Phila.

Port city founded as Quaker settlement by William Penn, 1681. Site of signing of Declaration of Independence and drafting of U.S. Constitution. Nation’s capital city, 1790–1800. Population in 1830 about 170,000; in 1840 about 260,000; and in 1850 about 410...

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, LDS church purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas. Served as church headquarters, 1839...